Coffman big man Madsen lands with Vandy

Charles MinnixStaff Writer

<B>Kyle Madsen</b>, a 6-9, 215-pound power forward from Dublin (Ohio) Coffman High School, committed Monday to play at Vanderbilt, Scout.com has learned. Madsen averaged 12.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game for Coffman as a junior.

Kyle Madsen, a 6-9, 215-pound power forward from Dublin (Ohio) Coffman High School, committed Monday to play at Vanderbilt, Scout.com has learned. Madsen averaged 12.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game for the Shamrocks as a junior.

Madsen, who visited Nashville officially over the Columbus Day weekend, had narrowed his final choices down to Vanderbilt and Clemson before calling Monday to inform Coach Kevin Stallings of his decision.

"I liked [Vanderbilt] a lot," Madsen said shortly after his visit. "I got to know the players really well, and hung out with them at night. I played in an open gym with them."

Coffman coach Jamey Collins described Madsen as a rangy big man who doesn't mind playing a physical game, but who has also recently added a high-percentage 3-point shot to his arsenal.

"He really worked on his perimeter game this spring and summer," Collins said. "He can shoot the 3. He did most of his work from the post last year, but now he's doing more stuff off the dribble from out on the 3-point line.

"When he makes the transition into college, where he will almost certainly be a 4-man, Kyle also has a pretty strong ability to block shots. His timing with that is really good. For a big guy he's pretty agile, pretty athletic.

"He's solid. He's got good feet, good quickness and jumping ability. Just picture an agile kid at 6-9, and that's what he is."

In his junior campaign, Madsen led Dublin Coffman to a 14-10 record capped by district and sectional championships. For his efforts he earned first-team All-OCC Ohio Division honors, as well as an honorable mention to the Division I All-Central District team.

Vanderbilt's high academic standards played into Madsen's decision, Collins said. An excellent student, he boasts a 3.6 grade point average and a 1090 score on the SAT.

Madsen becomes the second commitment for Vanderbilt's class of 2005, joining guard George Drake of Calera, Ala. Both plan to sign in the early signing period in November.

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